1.2 Identify different types of domestic abuse

This guide will help you answer 1.2 Identify different types of domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse is a pattern of controlling, coercive, threatening, or violent behaviour between people aged 16 or over who are personally connected. This can be between intimate partners, former partners, or family members. Abuse can occur in any type of relationship and affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. It is not always obvious to outsiders and may happen in private. Some forms of abuse leave no physical marks but can cause severe emotional harm.

Recognising the different types of domestic abuse helps staff respond appropriately. It is important to know that domestic abuse can take place in same-sex relationships, between parents and children, between siblings, or between extended family members.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves the use of physical force against another person. It can cause pain, injury, or long-term health problems. This type of abuse is often easier to spot than others but some victims may hide injuries out of fear or shame.

Examples of physical abuse include:

• Hitting, punching, or slapping
• Kicking or pushing
• Strangling, choking, or smothering
• Burning with hot objects or substances
• Using weapons or objects to inflict harm
• Preventing access to medical treatment

Physical abuse can have lasting effects. Injuries may heal but trauma can remain for years. Some victims may suffer broken bones, internal injuries, or scarring. Others may struggle with chronic pain or disability caused by repeated assaults.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is any behaviour that damages a person’s sense of self-worth, confidence, or mental wellbeing. It often involves humiliation, manipulation, or constant criticism. Unlike physical abuse, it leaves no visible injuries but can be equally harmful.

Examples of emotional abuse include:

• Insulting or mocking
• Threatening harm to the victim or loved ones
• Telling the victim they are worthless or unwanted
• Ignoring or excluding the victim from important activities
• Persistent blaming for things that are not their fault
• Using intimidation or fear to control

Emotional abuse may happen alongside other forms of abuse. Victims may become anxious, depressed, or withdrawn. They may lose confidence and start to doubt their own abilities. This can make it harder for them to leave the abusive situation.

Psychological Abuse

Psychological abuse is similar to emotional abuse but can be more targeted at controlling how someone thinks and makes decisions. It may involve manipulation, gaslighting, and control over thoughts or beliefs.

Gaslighting means making someone doubt their own memory or understanding of events. For instance, an abuser may insist something did not happen when it did, or change details to cause confusion.

Examples of psychological abuse include:

• Controlling access to information
• Refusing to acknowledge the victim’s opinions
• Discrediting the victim to others
• Rewriting events to cause confusion
• Making the victim question their reality

This type of abuse erodes independence and can make victims dependent on the abuser for all decisions. Over time, victims may feel trapped and unable to trust themselves.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse in domestic settings involves any sexual activity without consent or where consent is forced. It can be physical or involve other sexual behaviours that degrade or humiliate. Consent means agreeing freely without pressure or threats. Sexual abuse can happen within marriages, partnerships, and family relationships.

Examples of sexual abuse include:

• Forced sexual contact or intercourse
• Pressure to engage in sexual acts they do not want
• Unwanted touching or groping
• Degrading sexual comments or actions
• Coercing sex through threats or manipulation
• Refusing to use protection knowing it risks health

Victims may suffer physical injury, sexually transmitted infections, and significant emotional harm. Fear of stigma can make it harder for some victims to speak out.

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse occurs when someone controls another person’s money or access to economic resources without their consent. This makes the victim dependent and limits their ability to leave or make independent choices.

Examples of financial abuse include:

• Taking the victim’s money or property
• Preventing the victim from working or earning income
• Making the victim ask for money each time they need it
• Using their bank account without permission
• Running up debts in their name
• Controlling all spending decisions

Victims may be left without basic necessities such as food, clothing, or safe housing. They may be unable to escape the abusive relationship because they have no financial means to support themselves.

Coercive Control

Coercive control is a pattern of behaviours that isolate, regulate, and dominate another person’s everyday life. It does not have to involve physical harm but aims to remove the victim’s autonomy. It is recognised as a criminal offence under UK law.

Examples of coercive control include:

• Constant monitoring of the victim’s movements or communications
• Dictating what they wear, eat, or who they see
• Preventing them from visiting friends or family
• Restricting use of phone or internet
• Setting rules and punishing them for breaking them
• Repeatedly threatening to harm people or pets

This type of abuse can be ongoing and is often hidden from public view. It can make victims completely reliant on the abuser.

Technological Abuse

Technological abuse uses phones, social media, and digital tools to control, embarrass, or monitor a person. Modern technology makes it easy for abusers to extend their reach even when not physically present.

Examples include:

• Tracking location using phone apps
• Sending threatening or harassing messages
• Posting private photos or information online without permission
• Monitoring emails or social media accounts
• Using hidden cameras in the home
• Demanding passwords for online accounts

Technological abuse can take place alongside other kinds of abuse. It can also continue after separation from the abuser.

Neglect

Neglect in domestic settings happens when one person fails to meet the basic needs of another who depends on them. This often occurs in caring relationships, such as between partners where one is unwell, or between an adult child and elderly parent.

Examples include:

• Denying food or drink
• Failing to provide safe shelter
• Ignoring medical needs or refusing to arrange care
• Leaving the person alone for long periods without support
• Not providing hygiene needs like washing facilities

Neglect can seriously affect health and can be classed as abuse when it is intentional or persistent.

Spiritual or Religious Abuse

Spiritual or religious abuse is when beliefs are used to control or harm someone. This can occur within families, communities, or faith-based settings. It can include forcing someone to follow religious practices or using faith to justify punishment.

Examples include:

• Forcing religious rituals against the person’s beliefs
• Using spiritual authority to control behaviour
• Claiming harm or abuse is acceptable for religious reasons
• Denying access to community worship as a way of isolating
• Using scripture or teachings to frighten or manipulate

This form of abuse can stop victims from seeking help if they fear being rejected by their faith community.

Patterns and Overlap

Domestic abuse often involves more than one type at a time. For example, financial abuse may occur alongside emotional abuse, or physical abuse might be combined with coercive control. Each type reinforces the other and keeps the victim trapped.

Recognising how abuse types overlap is important for workers in health and social care. It helps in identifying patterns and providing the right support. A victim may speak about one type of abuse but be experiencing several.

Signs and Indicators

Recognising the warning signs can help intervention happen earlier. Signs may include:

• Unexplained injuries
• Withdrawal from social contact
• Sudden changes in personality or mood
• Becoming secretive or anxious
• Loss of confidence
• Lack of access to money or personal possessions
• Fearful behaviour around certain people

Some signs may be hidden or disguised as other issues like stress, illness, or financial problems.

Impact on Victims

Domestic abuse can cause physical harm, mental health problems, and social isolation. The longer it lasts, the more damage it can cause. Victims may feel trapped, ashamed, or fearful of leaving. Abusers may use threats of harm to children, pets, or other loved ones to stop victims seeking help.

Children living in homes with domestic abuse can be affected even if they are not directly harmed. They may develop anxiety, behavioural problems, or difficulties in education.

Support and Response

Health and social care workers play a major role in spotting abuse, offering support, and working with other agencies. This includes:

• Listening without judgement
• Providing clear information about available help
• Following safeguarding policies
• Referring to specialist domestic abuse services
• Avoiding actions that could put the victim at greater risk

Workers must document concerns accurately and report them to the right person or authority. They must protect confidentiality while making sure safeguarding is upheld.

Final Thoughts

Domestic abuse is not just about physical harm. It includes many different behaviours aimed at controlling or harming another person. By recognising all the types that can occur, health and social care workers are better equipped to act swiftly and appropriately when they suspect abuse.

Awareness leads to better safeguarding outcomes. Victims may experience more than one type of abuse, and patterns can be complex. Keeping an open mind, being observant, and knowing what each type looks like is key in preventing harm and offering the right support.